For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.

But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. (1 Corinthians 15:16-23)

Paul writes in another place, “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification” (Romans 4:25). Jesus Christ came to save us, his chosen people, whom God had conceived and selected in eternity, even before the creation of the world. Just as Adam represented humanity and plunged all men and women into sin, Jesus represented us and identified with us as he suffered the punishment pronounced against us. He endured the wrath of God on our behalf, and there remains no condemnation against us. And he was our head and champion when God raised him from the dead – vindicated and declared righteous.

The Christian faith brings the good news that our sins are forgiven through faith in Jesus Christ. This faith is not just a vague attitude, but a definite and detailed view about history and reality, since it involves an understanding regarding his person and his works. He was the sinless and perfect incarnation of deity. By his death, he paid the penalty of our sins, and by his resurrection, he secured for us full acquittal and perfect righteousness before the throne of heaven. If there is no such thing as resurrection, then Christ was never raised from the dead, and if he was never raised from the dead, then he did not secure for us justification before God, and as Paul concludes, then “you are still in your sins.”

But the apostle is careful to add, “Christ has indeed been raised from the dead.” This was predicted by the prophets, whose words were claimed and taught by Christ, and whose fulfillment was witnessed by more than five hundred men. These things were not done in a corner – they were public deeds and events that were in turn proclaimed and applied by the apostle’s public preaching. The religious establishment opposed the message because of their unbelief and jealousy, but they were unable to refute the resurrection. And here, not too many years after the event, Paul openly refers to the witnesses and the fact that many of them were still living, so that they could be located and interviewed. The witnesses, including the apostles, refused to recant even in the face of death.

Since the gospel promises the forgiveness of sins and justification before God, and since this is possible only due to the death and resurrection of Christ – here the emphasis is on the resurrection, which of course presupposes death – and since the resurrection indeed happened, this means that a message that neglects or denies the resurrection of Christ is not the gospel, and accordingly, anyone who refuses to believe that it happened has not believed the gospel, and he is still in his sins. The wrath of God remains upon him.

If Christ was not raised, then “you are still in yours sins.” Paul does not allow any alternative. He does not say, “If Christ was not raised, then you are still in your sins, unless…” – there is no “unless.” If Christ was not raised, then everybody burns in hell. But Christ was raised. Then, since the only way to benefit from Christ is to believe in him, this means that there is no salvation in non-Christian religions. All non-Christians, whether they regard themselves as religious or not, are still in their sins. It is not enough to affirm just any religion. It is not enough to claim to be a Christian. To escape hellfire, a person must believe in the resurrection of Christ, that it really happened, and that it means justification for those who rely on him.

Christ is the firstfruits of the resurrection – that is, the first of many. We know what will happen to us by learning about what happened to him. And we have confidence that we will be raised to a glorious and heavenly life not because we are good people or even excellent believers, but because we have confidence that he has experienced this and he will cause us to follow in his footsteps.

He told his disciples, “You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you.” The theology of free will paints the picture that we will barge before the gates of heaven, stick our thumbs at the Christ who follows behind us, and say, “He’s with me.” But faith, although both wise and good, is not a sign of our inherent good sense and character, that we should choose Christ to save us. You can say to God all you want, “I chose him! He’s with me!” And he will ask, “But who are you?” Faith is, instead, a product and evidence of divine grace, that God has chosen to save us by Jesus Christ. He is the one who brings us before the gates of heaven and declares, “Let them in – they’re with me.”

Jesus is the firstfruits. He leads the way and brings us into life and glory. God knows him and accepts him, and because of this, he knows us and accepts us. It is as if the Father says to him, “Your friends are my friends. Your people are my people. They are welcome here because of you.”